The internet has created a new kind of expert, one who draws knowledge from search engines and social media rather than years of investigation and practice. Yet the opinions of the modern connoisseur are not to be taken lightly. How are they signalling their status and influencing everyday habits?

Whisky is a traditional institution, with firm roots in Scotland. As well as appealing to diehards, Nc’nean, a female-founded distillery, is enticing craft-lovers by selling its first casks, bottling experimental botanical spirits, and putting sustainability and creativity at its core.

Distillery visits are at the top of most travellers’ lists of must-do experiences when visiting the UK. With people hungry for novel travel experiences that offer an element of authenticity, distillery visits and tasting tours are giving them a memorable way to sample the heritage of Britain.

Environmental concerns are increasingly influencing people’s purchasing habits across sectors, as evidenced by the growing demand for plant-based ‘meat’ and electric vehicles. But how might these eco-conscious consumers reshape the beer industry? And what can brewers do to be more sustainable?